More Thoughts on the “Stimulus Bill”
By: Joseph Thompson

There has been a great deal happening in the past two weeks concerning the $789 billion stimulus/porkulous/bull$%&8 bill. If you have somehow not been paying attention, then you have probably saved yourself a lot of frustration. Either way, here are a few of the thoughts, comments, and questions that the aforementioned bill roused from the 800 pound gorilla running through my mind:

President Obama ran on the claim that the he was going to bring an end to partisan politics and inspire hope in the American people. Since taking the oath of office twice, however, the Obama of hope has ceased to exist and has been replaced by President Obummer, the fear-monger.  He has told the American people that we are facing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, which may eventually be true, but that depends on the effects of this bill and other future legislation. He has also claimed that the economy may very well never recover without this “stimulus.”  With this in mind, can someone please explain how spending $30 million to save an endangered rat in San Francisco stimulates any thing other than sales of duct tape for imitations of the Pet Shop Boys?

At first, I wondered “how the crap?” could Arlen Specter, Olympia Snow, and Susan Collins “cross the aisle in spirit of bipartisanship” and vote for this “stimulus” bill when even John McCain could see this was a horrible idea. I cannot readily say why the two senators from Maine crossed the line other than assuming they are simply country club bluebloods. After seeing the press conference announcement of the stimulus deal, it became all too clear that the most dangerous place in Washington is between Specter and a camera.

Perhaps the most important aspect of this bill is its further fueling of principled conservatism in its opposition. House Republicans, such as John Boehner and Eric Cantor, have begun to toe some very hard lines. Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina is discussing not accepting any of the stimulus funds, which could inspire other governors to follow suit. Dick Morris has even begun to use the words “us” and “we” when discussing conservatism. For anyone who doesn’t know, Dick Morris was instrumental in getting both Reagan and Clinton elected. Since Morris is only interested in what’s good for himself, the fact that he has begun speaking and writing as a conservative can only mean that he sees someone on our side that he believes he can ride back to the White House.  Is it 2012 yet?